VISITOR FLOATPLANE PARKING in yellowknife
|
The Northwest Territories offers outstanding opportunities for aviation tourism but a lack of available parking for floatplanes serves as a deterrent to visiting pilots. NWTFA has identified the development of floatplane parking options for visiting aircraft as a key priority. Recent updates on our efforts and outcomes appear below.
NWTFA was successful in securing full funding for the acquisition of a visitor floatplane dock to be placed on Back Bay in Yellowknife. The dock is now available for use by visiting pilots during open water season with booking managed through an online reservation system. |
|
|
NOW AVAILABLE - VISITOR FLOATPLANE DOCK!
June 1, 2023 The NWTFA visitor floatplane dock is ready for booking and use buy visiting pilots! Our 8' x 26' floating dock is located at Wiley's Wharf near the Ahmic Air floatbase on Back Bay in Yellowknife. Reservations are managed online through the NWTFA website and 100LL av gas is available for purchase from Ahmic Air on-site. |
|
VISITOR FLOATPLANE DOCK TO BE OPERATIONAL IN SUMMER 2023
November 24, 2022
The NWTFA visitor floatplane dock will be operational in summer 2023! The 8' x 26' floating dock will be placed at Wiley's Wharf near the Ahmic Air floatbase on Back Bay in Yellowknife. Reservations will be managed online through the NWTFA website and 100LL av gas will be available for purchase from Ahmic Air on-site. This project has been made possible through the support of Ahmic Air and with funding from the GNWT Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).
November 24, 2022
The NWTFA visitor floatplane dock will be operational in summer 2023! The 8' x 26' floating dock will be placed at Wiley's Wharf near the Ahmic Air floatbase on Back Bay in Yellowknife. Reservations will be managed online through the NWTFA website and 100LL av gas will be available for purchase from Ahmic Air on-site. This project has been made possible through the support of Ahmic Air and with funding from the GNWT Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).
ADDITIONAL FUNDING SECURED FOR VISITOR FLOATPLANE DOCK
July 27, 2022
NWTFA has been successful in securing a grant from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) for partial funding of the acquisition of the visitor floatplane dock. Unexpected delays have resulted in the dock not being ready for use during summer 2022, but it is expected to be ready by spring 2023.
July 27, 2022
NWTFA has been successful in securing a grant from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) for partial funding of the acquisition of the visitor floatplane dock. Unexpected delays have resulted in the dock not being ready for use during summer 2022, but it is expected to be ready by spring 2023.
PARTIAL FUNDING SECURED FOR VISITOR FLOATPLANE DOCK
April 13, 2022
NWTFA has been successful in securing a grant from the GNWT Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment for partial funding of the acquisition of a visitor floatplane dock. An arrangement is being worked out with Ahmic Air for placement of the dock near its floatbase on Back Bay in Yellowknife. Reservations will be managed online through the NWTFA website and 100LL av gas will be available for purchase from Ahmic Air on-site.
April 13, 2022
NWTFA has been successful in securing a grant from the GNWT Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment for partial funding of the acquisition of a visitor floatplane dock. An arrangement is being worked out with Ahmic Air for placement of the dock near its floatbase on Back Bay in Yellowknife. Reservations will be managed online through the NWTFA website and 100LL av gas will be available for purchase from Ahmic Air on-site.
FUNDING APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED FOR ACQUISITION OF VISITOR FLOATPLANE DOCK
February 23, 2022
NWTFA has recently submitted proposals to both the GNWT Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and the Canada Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) seeking funding for the acquisition of a visitor floatplane dock. This dock would be placed at the floatbase of a commercial operator in Yellowknife and be dedicated for use by visiting floatplane pilots. Reservations would be managed through the NWTFA website. The availability of a dedicated visitor dock will support aviation tourism in the Northwest Territories. If the funding applications are successful, the dock is anticipated to be available for use in summer 2022.
February 23, 2022
NWTFA has recently submitted proposals to both the GNWT Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and the Canada Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) seeking funding for the acquisition of a visitor floatplane dock. This dock would be placed at the floatbase of a commercial operator in Yellowknife and be dedicated for use by visiting floatplane pilots. Reservations would be managed through the NWTFA website. The availability of a dedicated visitor dock will support aviation tourism in the Northwest Territories. If the funding applications are successful, the dock is anticipated to be available for use in summer 2022.
PARKING FOR VISITING FLOATPLANES
August 8, 2018
NWTFA has taken delivery of the docks acquired from the City of Yellowknife. These floating docks will be owned and maintained by NWTFA and used for their intended purpose of promoting aviation tourism in the Northwest Territories. Three docks have been placed in the water at Ahmic Air and are ready for use by visiting pilots. The docks seem a bit narrow and unstable but could be weighted down with cement blocks or tires. The docks can likely be left in place over winter without significant risk of danger from ice.
August 8, 2018
NWTFA has taken delivery of the docks acquired from the City of Yellowknife. These floating docks will be owned and maintained by NWTFA and used for their intended purpose of promoting aviation tourism in the Northwest Territories. Three docks have been placed in the water at Ahmic Air and are ready for use by visiting pilots. The docks seem a bit narrow and unstable but could be weighted down with cement blocks or tires. The docks can likely be left in place over winter without significant risk of danger from ice.
VISITOR FLOATPLANE PARKING ANTICIPATED IN SPRING
February 6, 2018
NWTFA has recently reached an agreement with the City of Yellowknife for the transfer of several docks for use by visiting floatplane pilots. The docks were acquired several years ago through a grant obtained by the City from the Government of the Northwest Territories for the purpose of encouraging aviation tourism and establishing floatplane facilities in the Northwest Territories. Aside from occasional use during the biannual Midnight Sun Fly In, these docks have been held in City storage. We anticipate receiving and installing these docks on Back Bay in the spring of 2018.
February 6, 2018
NWTFA has recently reached an agreement with the City of Yellowknife for the transfer of several docks for use by visiting floatplane pilots. The docks were acquired several years ago through a grant obtained by the City from the Government of the Northwest Territories for the purpose of encouraging aviation tourism and establishing floatplane facilities in the Northwest Territories. Aside from occasional use during the biannual Midnight Sun Fly In, these docks have been held in City storage. We anticipate receiving and installing these docks on Back Bay in the spring of 2018.
STATUS OF VISITOR FLOATPLANE DOCKS
August 30, 2017
NWTFA is making efforts to ensure that the docks acquired by the City of Yellowknife several years ago through a grant from the GNWT are utilized for the intended purpose of promoting aviation tourism. Some dock sections have been placed at Plummers Old Town Floatbase but details of the arrangement are unclear. The other sections apparently remain in City storage and may have suffered damage. Further information will be sought from both the City and Plummers and efforts will be made to advertise availability of docks and to identify suitable locations for placement of any unused docks.
August 30, 2017
NWTFA is making efforts to ensure that the docks acquired by the City of Yellowknife several years ago through a grant from the GNWT are utilized for the intended purpose of promoting aviation tourism. Some dock sections have been placed at Plummers Old Town Floatbase but details of the arrangement are unclear. The other sections apparently remain in City storage and may have suffered damage. Further information will be sought from both the City and Plummers and efforts will be made to advertise availability of docks and to identify suitable locations for placement of any unused docks.
CITY COUNCIL VOTES AGAINST VISITING AIRCRAFT AT WILEY ROAD
March 14, 2016
Despite the acknowledgement of several city councillors that creating public parking for visiting floatplanes was a good idea, City Council voted to restrict parking at the proposed Wiley Road Park to non-motorized watercraft. The City has proposed a park at the site, located between the RTL dock and the Great Slave Yacht Club, and to be named after Hank Koenen, a well known bush pilot who operated a charter service on the site.
City Council appears to recognize the need for parking areas for itinerant floatplanes but is sensitive to any public opposition. The opposition against parking at Wiley Road came primarily from the adjoining property owners, Great Slave Yacht Club and RTL. City administration continues to defer the issue by suggesting that there are other areas which would be more suitable for floatplane parking. The Director of Planning and Lands suggested to Council that a plan for floatplane parking is actively being developed and will be brought to Council in the near future.
March 14, 2016
Despite the acknowledgement of several city councillors that creating public parking for visiting floatplanes was a good idea, City Council voted to restrict parking at the proposed Wiley Road Park to non-motorized watercraft. The City has proposed a park at the site, located between the RTL dock and the Great Slave Yacht Club, and to be named after Hank Koenen, a well known bush pilot who operated a charter service on the site.
City Council appears to recognize the need for parking areas for itinerant floatplanes but is sensitive to any public opposition. The opposition against parking at Wiley Road came primarily from the adjoining property owners, Great Slave Yacht Club and RTL. City administration continues to defer the issue by suggesting that there are other areas which would be more suitable for floatplane parking. The Director of Planning and Lands suggested to Council that a plan for floatplane parking is actively being developed and will be brought to Council in the near future.
POTENTIAL NODE PARK AT WILEY ROAD
December 10, 2015
NWTFA has received no substantive response from City of Yellowknife regarding the establishment of a node park at Wiley Road. We recently participated in an open house hosted by the City and its consultant was supportive of including parking for visiting floatplanes but City staff seem resistant to permitting aviation use. The City has updated its public survey to include questions assessing support for parking for visiting floatplanes.
December 10, 2015
NWTFA has received no substantive response from City of Yellowknife regarding the establishment of a node park at Wiley Road. We recently participated in an open house hosted by the City and its consultant was supportive of including parking for visiting floatplanes but City staff seem resistant to permitting aviation use. The City has updated its public survey to include questions assessing support for parking for visiting floatplanes.
PUBLIC SURVEY CONCERNING USE OF PROPOSED NODE PARK AT WILEY ROAD
November 4, 2015
The City of Yellowknife recently issued a public survey asking residents to indicate preferences for use of the proposed node park at Wiley Road. Options were boat docking only versus boat docking and floatplane parking. No context was provided and the survey was silent as to whether floatplane docking would be for residents or visitors. The Great Slave Cruising Club opposes floatplane activity at the site as its refueling activities extend into the water portion of the lot. The Latham Island Neighbourhood Association supports use of the site by visiting floatplanes.
November 4, 2015
The City of Yellowknife recently issued a public survey asking residents to indicate preferences for use of the proposed node park at Wiley Road. Options were boat docking only versus boat docking and floatplane parking. No context was provided and the survey was silent as to whether floatplane docking would be for residents or visitors. The Great Slave Cruising Club opposes floatplane activity at the site as its refueling activities extend into the water portion of the lot. The Latham Island Neighbourhood Association supports use of the site by visiting floatplanes.
CONSULTATION ON USE OF PROPOSED NODE PARK AT WILEY ROAD
October 16, 2015
NWTFA and the Latham Island Neighbourhood Association sent a joint email to the City of Yellowknife providing comments on the proposed creation of a node park at Wiley Road. Both organizations expressed concern that the public survey recently issued by the City failed to distinguish between resident and visitor floatplane docking as potential uses or to consider the possibility of other suitable locations for visitor docking. Response from City administration promised further consultation but chose not to address these concerns.
October 16, 2015
NWTFA and the Latham Island Neighbourhood Association sent a joint email to the City of Yellowknife providing comments on the proposed creation of a node park at Wiley Road. Both organizations expressed concern that the public survey recently issued by the City failed to distinguish between resident and visitor floatplane docking as potential uses or to consider the possibility of other suitable locations for visitor docking. Response from City administration promised further consultation but chose not to address these concerns.
VISITOR FLOATPLANE DOCKS PLACED AT PLUMMERS FLOATBASE
July 28, 2015
The Midnight Sun Fly-In Association recently brokered an arrangement with the City of Yellowknife whereby docks were placed at Plummers Old Town Floatbase for use by visiting floatplanes during the Midnight Sun Fly In. The docks were acquired several years ago through a grant obtained by the City of Yellowknife from the Government of the Northwest Territories for the purpose of encouraging aviation tourism. Details of the arrangement are unknown to NWTFA.
July 28, 2015
The Midnight Sun Fly-In Association recently brokered an arrangement with the City of Yellowknife whereby docks were placed at Plummers Old Town Floatbase for use by visiting floatplanes during the Midnight Sun Fly In. The docks were acquired several years ago through a grant obtained by the City of Yellowknife from the Government of the Northwest Territories for the purpose of encouraging aviation tourism. Details of the arrangement are unknown to NWTFA.
FOLLOW-UP TO CITY COUNCIL
April 8, 2015
The City of Yellowknife has engaged in no further consultation or communication with NWTFA since our November 2014 presentation to City Council. NWTFA recently wrote to City Council urging it to direct administration to engage in consultation with NWTFA.
April 8, 2015
The City of Yellowknife has engaged in no further consultation or communication with NWTFA since our November 2014 presentation to City Council. NWTFA recently wrote to City Council urging it to direct administration to engage in consultation with NWTFA.
PRESENTATION TO YELLOWKNIFE CITY COUNCIL
November 30, 2014
NWTFA recently made a presentation to Yellowknife City Council respecting floatplane parking on Back Bay. NWTFA supports the establishment of node parks and takes the position that parking for visiting floatplanes should be included as an amenity in those parks. Council directed administration to continue public engagement regarding use of the Wiley Road lot and amended its motion to remove the exclusion of floatplane parking as a potential use of that property.
November 30, 2014
NWTFA recently made a presentation to Yellowknife City Council respecting floatplane parking on Back Bay. NWTFA supports the establishment of node parks and takes the position that parking for visiting floatplanes should be included as an amenity in those parks. Council directed administration to continue public engagement regarding use of the Wiley Road lot and amended its motion to remove the exclusion of floatplane parking as a potential use of that property.
